oa Inter- and intra-specific genetic variations among Qatari date palm cultivars using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Date palms are generally propagated by separating the offshoots produced by individual trees. This method maintains the genetic integrity of date palm cultivars. Individual trees of well-known Date palm cultivars have little differences in fruit morphological characters and quality especially color and sweetness. The objectives of the present study are to analyze the genetic diversity among most common cultivars of Qatari date palm as well as the genetic variation within each cultivar. Five common Date palm cultivars in Qatar were selected including Khalas, Sheshy, Rezezy, Barhee and Khanezy from three different locations (Al-Shamal, Al-Khour and Al-Rayan). This study tried to answer basic questions about the genetic similarity or diversity among and within the well-known Qatari date palm cultivars using 18 Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers. All primers have amplified polymorphic bands in the studied cultivars either among the cultivars or within each cultivar in different cultivated areas. The results indicated the existing of genetic variations among well-known cultivars as well as within each cultivar explaining the variation in some morphological and quality characters for different trees of the same cultivar that are grown in different environments.